1988 Robin Hood Sports 2.0L Petrol · F341 LKL

The recorded DVSA MOT history for this 1988 Robin Hood Sports shows five consecutive pass certificates from 2021 through 2025, each issued without a single advisory or defect being logged at the time of examination. This is a notably clean roadworthiness record for a vehicle of this age, with no brake, suspension, exhaust, corrosion, or lighting defects appearing in any of the documented test entries. The most recent assessment on 17 September 2025 confirmed a pass with no recorded defects, continuing a stable annual pattern at the testing station and indicating that, within the limits of a single visual and functional check, the car has consistently met the minimum legal requirements throughout the recent testing window. The absence of advisories is unusual for a specialist or kit-type vehicle approaching four decades of age, where component wear and minor corrosion issues are typically flagged. With 75,711 miles recorded against an approximate 38-year lifespan, the vehicle has accumulated an average of just under 2,000 miles per year, which is low even allowing for the fact that kit-built and classic specials often see sporadic rather than daily use. There are no obvious gaps in the MOT sequence over the documented period, suggesting the car has been kept on the road continuously and presented for testing each autumn. The slow mileage accumulation implies limited wear on major drivetrain and braking components, but for a vehicle of this construction it also raises the question of how regularly mechanical components are being cycled, as prolonged low-use periods can lead to seized calipers, stiff linkages, perished rubber bushes, and oxidation of brake pipes and fuel lines. Any prospective buyer should therefore be cautious in assuming that low recorded mileage automatically equates to sound mechanical condition, particularly given the kit-car nature of the Robin Hood. Because the MOT history itself flags nothing specific, buyer guidance must focus on the areas most likely to affect a specialist sports car of this vintage and construction type. On a test drive, particular attention should be paid to the steering geometry and front suspension linkages, listening for clonks or knocking over uneven surfaces that would suggest worn rose joints, track rod ends, or compliant bushes, items that are heavily stressed in a lightweight rear-wheel-drive chassis. The braking system should be tested both at low speed and under firm pedal pressure, watching for any pulling to one side, judder through the pedal, or a spongy feel that could indicate seized or binding calipers or perished flexible brake hoses, none of which will necessarily have been recorded if they did not present as a failure at the time of test. The exhaust system, given the age, warrants a physical inspection from underneath for blowing joints and insecure mountings, and the underside should be examined on a ramp for corrosion on the chassis rails, floor pans, and outriggers, which is a common advisories area on vehicles of this era but is not reflected here simply because the data does not include such detail. Further checks should concentrate on the cooling system, as older engines left standing can develop minor leaks around the water pump and hoses, and on the condition of all fluid levels and their respective seals for signs of leaks onto the engine or gearbox casings. The electrical system on a kit car can be idiosyncratic, so all lighting, indicators, horn, and the cooling fan operation should be exercised, and the cooling fan operation confirmed with the engine at temperature. Tyres should be inspected for age-related cracking of the sidewalls as well as uneven wear patterns that might indicate misalignment or suspension geometry issues. Finally, given the specialist nature of the build, it is worth confirming that any structural modifications, chassis repairs, or replacement panels have been carried out to a documented standard, and that the vehicle identification and registration details are consistent with the documentation, as these items are not assessed within the standard MOT procedure but are essential considerations when purchasing a hand-built sports car of this age.